Dear Sue, Thanks so much for the info on Victor and Henry - I promise them both a mention in the PhD one day! Have you any more info on Victor - where he lived/worked, how much he charged, how long he worked for, whether he worked for himself or a firm, all that sort of thing. Or even any documentary evidence such as diaries or ledgers? I shouldn't be greedy, should I?! I've taken the liberty of forwarding your email to a friend of mine, Bill Kibby, who is a piano archivist and historian who owes me a few favours. If anyone has a record of Henry, it'll be Bill, because he's got the most comprehensive collection of pianorakia that I know of! I've asked him to let you know if he has anything relevant. Hope he does! Thanks again for your help, and good luck in your quest! Love, Gill Green x sue@rowbos.demon.co.uk wrote: > Gill and all > > My grandfather VICTOR BAINBRIDGE (b. Bath, Somerset, 1897) was a piano tuner and french polisher - occupations that often went together. He was apprenticed in Southampton and at the age of 14 he helped to tune the pianos on the Titanic - I understand that there were seven pianos aboard. He was asked whether he wanted to sail on her maiden voyage - but his mother CATHERINA ROSALIA BAINBRIDGE (nee COHN) said that he was too young, and would not allow him to go. Just as well or I would not be around to tell you the tale! > > HENRY PRICE HODGES, who owned the biggest piano warehouse in Southampton at the time, sailed on that fateful voyage but sadly did not survive. I strongly suspect, but have absolutely no proof, that Victor worked for Hodges. Neither the British Titanic Society nor Southampton Reference Library have any records that help. I would therefore be very grateful for any information that you might come across that might make or disprove the connection, or build up the picture in any way. > > Yours hopefully > > Sue Rowbotham > > -- Message sent with Supanet E-mail